CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2020	Apr. 28, 2019	Apr. 26, 2020	Apr. 28, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 2,422,465	$ 2,344,744	$ 4,806,899	$ 4,705,099
Cost of Products Sold	1,945,113	1,875,595	3,861,127	3,747,616
Gross Profit	477,352	469,149	945,773	957,483
Selling, General and Administrative	193,912	170,076	389,433	363,620
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	10,021	13,291	17,608	24,749
Operating Income	293,460	312,364	573,948	618,612
Other Income and Expense:
Interest and Investment Income (Expense)	(3,474)	11,297	9,777	18,171
Interest Expense	(3,497)	(5,615)	(7,074)	(11,762)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	286,489	318,046	576,651	625,021
Provision for Income Taxes	58,873	35,410	106,083	100,866
Net Earnings	227,615	282,636	470,568	524,155
Less: Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(119)	207	(39)	301
Net Earnings Attributable to Hormel Foods Corporation	$ 227,734	$ 282,429	$ 470,606	$ 523,854
Net Earnings Per Share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.53	$ 0.88	$ 0.98
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.52	$ 0.86	$ 0.96
Weighted-average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	538,119	535,480	536,597	534,988
Diluted (in shares)	546,373	546,330	545,594	546,724